Manchester City and England midfielder Garteth Barry is hoping to return to first-team action in the not so distant future.

Barry has been sidelined since undergoing surgery over the summer but he is now back in training with the first team.

"I've had two outings with the Elite Development Squad now - 45 minutes against Middlesbrough and 80 against Liverpool and I felt a lot better in the second game so things are progressing nicely," Barry told the official Manchester City website.

"I had a double hernia operation which meant an initial four weeks out, but then I tore a muscle in rehab which set me back a little bit, but I don't think I'm too far off now - touch wood! I'm just taking things one day at a time but I'm feeling quite strong again which is really good."

Barry's comeback game against Middlesborough was his first match action for three and a half months.